Pakistan and Poland plan joint push against illegal migration

Pakistan and Poland have agreed to step up their security and intelligence cooperation and to work together against illegal migration, officials said.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry held talks with Tomasz Siemoniak, a minister in the Polish government who heads its Council of Ministers. The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and looked at ways to deepen security ties.

Security and intelligence ties

The talks centred on closer work in security, intelligence sharing and counterterrorism. They also covered illegal migration and links between the law enforcement agencies of both countries. Both sides said bilateral cooperation needed fresh momentum, and they agreed to raise the number of high-level contacts.

In addition, the two countries agreed to complete several memorandums of understanding as early as possible, including arrangements for Mutual Legal Assistance. A Ministry of Interior delegation, led by Talal Chaudhry, will also travel to Poland soon to build on the talks.

On counterterrorism and security, Siemoniak said, Pakistan and Poland see eye to eye. He also voiced support for Pakistani efforts toward regional peace and stability.

Pakistan and Poland on legal migration

Naqvi said his government shows zero tolerance toward the narcotics trade, illegal migration and organised crime. According to the minister, government action has cut illegal migration from Pakistan to Europe by 64 percent. He added that closer coordination between the two countries could bring these crimes down significantly. In reply, Siemoniak promised full cooperation.

As part of the effort to end illegal migration, both sides also agreed to widen job openings and legal migration routes for Pakistanis in Europe. Pakistanis who arrive by legal means will find a welcome from Polish authorities, Siemoniak said.

The talks also touched on visa-free travel for holders of official passports from both countries. Meanwhile, the ministers discussed wider people-to-people contacts, along with trade and business links.

Economic links and GSP Plus

Siemoniak said economic ties matter just as much as political and security relations. For his part, Naqvi thanked Poland for its support on the GSP Plus trade scheme of the European Union. The Interior Secretary and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

The talks build on earlier contact between the two governments. In February, Naqvi visited Warsaw, where he met Siemoniak, who coordinates the Polish intelligence and security services, as well as Polish interior minister Marcin Kierwinski. During those meetings, the two countries agreed to strengthen institutional cooperation against illegal immigration. They also discussed border security, organised crime and closer coordination between police, paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies. The Pakistani ambassador to Poland, Muhammad Sami, and FIA chief Dr Usman Anwar joined Naqvi for those talks. Naqvi also stressed the need to make legal immigration easier, while the discussions covered hybrid threats in Europe and Asia.

At the time, Siemoniak said the meeting reaffirmed the dialogue between the two countries. The Polish side also praised steps the government of Pakistan has taken to stop human smuggling. With a delegation due in Poland soon, Pakistan and Poland now aim to turn the talks into finalised agreements.